Women's football: Black Country ace helps spark Aston Villa comeback
Delighted boss Natalia Arroyo heaped praise on Ebony Salmon after the Black Country star helped Villa end their winless run at Leicester City.
Kingswinford’s Salmon came off the bench to set-up both goals as Villa came from behind to win 2-1 and taste victory for the first time since January.
Former Villa favourite Alisha Lehmann had fired the Foxes into a first half lead but Salmon made a swift impact after being introduced at half-time when she teed up Anna Patten for the leveller.
The 25-year-old then laid on an 84th minute winner for Kirsty Hanson as Villa claimed a win which erased any lingering fears of being dragged into a relegation scrap.
Arroyo said: “We knew we had Ebony, who could be a big threat.
“She always thinks forward, has a verticality. I am not surprised but really happy she could show that.
“She is training well, sometimes getting starts but sometimes not.
“She helped a lot with changing the momentum, allowing us to have more clarity in the final third.”
Blues remain second in the Championship after coming from behind to beat Sheffield United 2-1.
Sophie O’Rourke fired the visitors into an early lead but Lily Crosthwaite levelled for Blues just before the break, with Wilma Leidhammer getting the winner early in the second half.
Both Wolves and Albion warmed up for next week’s derby at Molineux with big-scoring wins.
Wolves thumped Loughborough 5-0 to guarantee a top-two finish in the Women’s National League Northern Premier.
Charlotte Greengrass grabbed a brace with Beth Merrick, Amber Hughes and Rachael Quigley also on target.
“To secure a top-two finish with four games left is something we have to take great pride in,” said boss Dan McNamara.
“It shows the level and the consistency. There are only 22 league games, so to do it only just over three-quarters of the way through is great credit to the players.”
Albion moved up to fifth in the table thanks to a thumping 6-0 win over Sporting Khalsa at The Hawthorns.
Monique Robinson and Lucy Day both bagged braces, while Fran Orthodoxou and Ellie May were also on the mark for the Baggies.
Delighted boss Siobhan Hodgetts-Still said: “To come here and score six goals in front of the fans is an amazing feeling.
“I am really proud of the shift we put in. We dominated the game.”
Kidderminster Harrier pulled away from the Division One Midlands drop zone thanks to a 4-0 win at Lincoln United but Stourbridge remain in deep trouble, following a 5-0 defeat at Worcester City.
Lye Town are 11 points clear at the top of the West Midlands Premier after a 3-1 win at Cound Court.
Elsewhere, Hednesford Town edged past Walsall 1-0 in the League Cup, while Chasetown beat Redditch Borough by the same scoreline.
